The 2026 Qingdao Venture Capital Conference concluded on July 8 at the Qingdao International Conference Center, positioning the city as a hub for innovation finance. Held under the theme "Empowering New Quality Productive Forces, Shaping a Shared Industrial Future: VC/PE Opportunities under the 15th Five-Year Plan," the event gathered government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, and scholars to discuss accelerating technological innovation and industrial transformation. The stakes are high as China embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan, with the conference underscoring Qingdao's commitment to attracting long-term capital and fostering a world-class innovation ecosystem.

Hosted by the Qingdao Municipal People's Government and co-organized by the Office of the Financial Affairs Commission of the CPC Qingdao Municipal Committee and the Qingdao Municipal Finance Bureau, the conference featured one plenary forum and five parallel forums. Topics included capital's role in empowering new quality productive forces, blue finance, future industry ecosystems, and cross-border financial cooperation. A sci-tech innovation project roadshow featured ten startups in AI, integrated circuits, biopharmaceuticals, new energy, and the low-altitude economy presenting directly to investors.

Strategic Partnerships and Launches

The plenary forum saw the unveiling of the Qingdao Fund Industry Development Alliance and Zhongtai Capital Equity Investment Management (Shandong) Co., Ltd. The Qingdao Municipal Government signed strategic cooperation agreements with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Guotai Haitong Securities, and Zhongtai Securities. The "Qingdao-Hong Kong Integration, Linking the World" initiative was also launched, bringing together the international investment banking arms of China's five major state-owned banks to support local tech companies in accessing global capital markets. Funds under Qingdao's "10+1" Innovative Industry System were signed on site, directing patient capital toward the city's modern industrial system.

Investment Trends and Insights

The conference marked the release of the China Venture Capital & Private Equity Annual White Paper (2026), highlighting global and domestic investment trends. Key findings include:

The report noted a global shift toward hard technology and the real economy, creating opportunities for innovation-driven cities like Qingdao, which leverages its marine technology strengths for future growth.

Key Speakers and Future Outlook

Notable speakers included Sun Ximin, Vice Governor of Shandong Province; Ren Gang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Qingdao Municipal Committee and Mayor of Qingdao; and Gao Tianhong, Party Committee Member and Vice President of the Asset Management Association of China (AMAC). Keynote speeches were delivered by Liu Shijin, Chief Chinese Advisor of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development; Wang Zhongmin, former Vice Chairman of the National Council for Social Security Fund; and Wu Xiaoqiu, former Vice President of Renmin University of China and Dean of the National Academy of Financial Research. Since its launch in 2019, the Qingdao Venture Capital Conference has become a leading platform for VC/PE cooperation, reinforcing Qingdao's role as a center for innovation-driven development.